Arthropoda

Arthropoda is a form of animal life belonging to a phylum of invertebrate animals with jointed limbs and a hard external skeleton. Arthropods have the most species of any animal group, making them the most diverse group of animals on the planet. Common examples include insects such as flies, bees, and ants, as well as spiders, lobsters, and centipedes. Arthropods have an important role to play in the Earth's ecosystems, as both predators and prey, and many species also help to pollinate plants which are essential for our agricultural crops. Their presence in the environment is also beneficial to humans, as they break down organic material into smaller components that can be used by other organisms, and they provide valuable food sources to animals higher up in the food chain.